📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Hafnarfjordur is the third largest town in Iceland, with a population of over 26,000. A progressive municipality that focuses on ensuring a friendly environment. It is only 10 km away from the center of Reykjavik.Hafnarfjordur is a unique town with an extraordinary history, where daily life and culture thrives in the middle of an old lava field. The town had a population of approximately 1400 when it was granted municipal status. Now, a century later, the population has exploded. However, the town retains its small-town air, its rural aura and its heart - which is not surprising given that the it prides itself on the largest unbroken neighborhood of corrugated iron-clad timber houses in Iceland. The town has grown quickly over the past few years and the new neighborhoods have attracted a diverse community of people who understand that Hafnarfjorour offers a great range of commercial outlets and services, an active cultural life and plenty of activities.The town is famous for having one of Iceland s largest settlements of elves, dwarves and the so-called Hidden Folk. Centuries-old folklore has it that whole clans of such beings reside in the rocks that make up part of the town s centre. We do not doubt this at all. Though elves are visible only to those with second sight, many Icelanders believe in their existence. Indeed, there are many stories to support this belief and reports of cases where the construction of new roads or housing developments were hindered by strange happenings abound. Hidden Folk are highly respected all over Iceland, especially in Hafnarfjordur. There is even a Hidden Worlds tour that takes to their home sites, including Hellisgerdi Park and the base of the cliff Hamarinn, which is said to be home to the Royal Family of the Hidden Folk. Along the way, the guide relates ancient folk tales of the magical hidden worlds and narrates how the town developed in harmony with the Hidden Folk. For more information take a look at: http://www.hafnarfjordur.is/english/ Additional information: There is an extra participation fee of 350 euros for this workcamp. The fee includes a minibus trip from the meeting point of the camp to the accommodation and the Golden Circle South Iceland excursion.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will have environmental tasks in different areas in and around hafnarfjordur, for example cleaning the coastline, planting trees, taking down old fences, removing lupines or other plants and fixing hiking paths. Our work will also depend on weather conditions, which is why we have to be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, but hopefully, the weather will be nice most of the time. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges. Working hours are about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week.Within the project we will have educational sessions to learn about green energy, sustainable house holding, waste treatment, nutrition, the effects of consumption and lots more. If you want to change something, develop solutions or inspire others, you must understand the issues and tasks first. In addition to the theoretical part we are going to practice sustainable work. For example, planting trees is one of the main exercises of the camps. Planting trees becomes a very useful action against climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, clean the air and prevent erosion. Take part in this promising project and spring into action against climate change
🏠 Accommodation on site
Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in a community building offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but mattresses and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. The accommodation is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theatres, shops, museums, and bus stations.Food is included for the duration of the workcamp, however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favourite recipes (and spices) from home
📍 About the location
Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermal-heated swimming pool in Hafnarfjordur. Traditionally, natural pools have played an important social role in Icelandic culture. Most Icelandic pools offer indoor and outdoor swimming, as well as hot tubs and saunas or steam rooms.WF Iceland will also organise reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs. Take a look at http://wf.is/excursions/
ℹ️ Additional information
Fee includes the transportation to/from the meeting point and and also the Golden circle excursion